TOKYO: Afghan cyclist Fariba Hashimi has won a silver medal at the Asian Games, turning a difficult journey marked by restrictions and hardship into an international sporting achievement.
The 23-year-old finished second in the women’s road race near Nagoya, Japan, describing the result as “something special” after years of challenges in pursuing cycling.
Hashimi, who comes from Faryab province in northern Afghanistan, said she began her sporting journey as a teenager alongside her sister Yulduz, who is also a professional cyclist. At a time when women’s participation in sports faced severe opposition, the sisters trained in disguise, with Hashimi recalling that she was attacked with stones while following her passion.
A journey from Afghanistan to the global stage
After the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and introduced restrictions on women’s education, public life and sports, Hashimi left Afghanistan. She later relocated to Italy with the help of former world champion cyclist Alessandra Cappellotto, where she now lives and trains.
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Hashimi and her sister represented Afghanistan at the Paris Olympics and are now aiming for another appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
“I was born inside a country where the women who dream are getting attacked, and I’m really happy that I have fought against that,” Hashimi said after her Asian Games success.
Medal of hope for Afghan women
Hashimi said she hoped her achievement would encourage other women to pursue their ambitions despite obstacles.
“This silver medal can show a lot of resilience from Afghan women,” she said, adding that millions of women around the world share similar dreams.
The cyclist also thanked the Japanese team for supporting her during the competition, saying she had limited support staff and had to manage many responsibilities herself, including repairing and maintaining her own bicycle.
Her Asian Games silver medal marks another milestone in a journey that began in Afghanistan and reached the international stage through determination and perseverance.
